White defends teammate Young in radio interview

Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White defended his friend and teammate Vince Young regarding recent statements made by the quarterback about the possibility of being traded.

White, speaking on radio station KLAC in Los Angeles Monday, says Young is only a competitor who wants to play in recent remarks made about perhaps seeking a trade from the Titans if he is not the starter.

The quarterback’s agent Major Adams later distanced himself and Young from those remarks.

“You know, I was with Vince yesterday and Vince is very competitive,” White said Monday. “That’s just the competitive side of him. He wants to play and I understand that.

"I want to play and be the starter. I feel like if the Titans didn’t want me, there are plenty of other teams that will. That’s just the competitive nature of yourself. Vince is a Titan and he loves that. He loves being in the locker room with us, he loves being around us. But it’s that itch to play — he loves playing football.”

In an ESPN interview that aired over the weekend, Young admitted to not wanting to play football after his injury and being booed by fans in the season opener last year against Jacksonville. White said Young adjusting to a backup role has been a tough one.

“You’re talking about a guy who arguably had one of the best games ever coming out of college, then he won Rookie of the Year, going to the playoffs and now sitting on the bench,” White said. “You know, it’s hard, it’s hard. For anybody it’d be hard but you know, he’s a strong-minded guy and Vince Young is going to be all right. He’ll be better than ever when he does get his chance.”

White, whose reporting weight was down to 238 pounds this March, said he hopes to have a 1,000-yard season, whether he starts or continues as a backup to Chris Johnson.

“The way I’ve been working this offseason, a lot of those runs that went for 1 or 2 yards are going to go for a lot longer this year,” White said. “So I feel like I can go for 1,000 yards if I’ the starter, the backup, whatever I need to do. I think that’s the kind of contribution I’m looking forward to giving my team this year.”